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EllaElla Depression & Anxiety - Downward Spriral
  • replies: 6

Hi,Im 29 years old and have been suffering from Panic Disorder for 9 years. Within the last 2 years I have also been suffering from Depression. I have been on an SSRI & anti-anxienty medication which enabled me to live a normal life. However, within ... View more

Hi,Im 29 years old and have been suffering from Panic Disorder for 9 years. Within the last 2 years I have also been suffering from Depression. I have been on an SSRI & anti-anxienty medication which enabled me to live a normal life. However, within the last few months my doctor has been unable to prescribe me the anti-anxiety medication i have been taking for 9 years and has changed my medication, three times! None of them work as well as my original medication did.I feel like I am drowning all the time and have no motivation to leave my house. I've quit my job becauseI kept having panic attacks at work so needed to avoid the place. I am starting to avoid everything and everyone because my panic attacks are constant. I broke up with my long time partner, I dont see any of my friends anymore. I have no motivation to live. Has anyone else experienced something similar when being made to change anti-anxiety medications?I have tried on multiple occasions see a Psychologist but it never really helped me. I feel lost and I don' t know what to do. My depression is getting worse with each day and my anxiety levels are always high so i avoid everything and everyone to try and prevent my panic attacks. I am on the highest dose SSRI so i cant up my medication, and haven't been able to find a fast acting anti-anxiety medication. The way I see it, if this is how my life is going to be then i don't see any point in living. Constant sadness that no one seems to understand and panic attacks everyday. Who would want to live a life like this? If it hasn't gone away after 9 years i don't think it ever will. Just wish I could disappear. Anyone else out there feel the same? Or am I the only one losing my mind.....beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

d1106 I'm worried that medication won't work
  • replies: 5

I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for the past 13 years. Up until now medication has always been extremely helpful and because of this I didn't feel the need to share my condition with anyone. So I have been on my own all these years.... View more

I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for the past 13 years. Up until now medication has always been extremely helpful and because of this I didn't feel the need to share my condition with anyone. So I have been on my own all these years. Over the past 5 to 6 weeks medication has not been as successful despite trying something new. Because of the way I feel now I've had no choice but to tell my immediate family. I really didn't know how they would react and feared they would think me weak. I could not have been more wrong. My family are supporting me without question which is a huge relief. No more hiding doctors appointments, medication and nice just to tell someone how I'm feeling. I think a lot of my depression and anxiety at the moment is stemming from a bit of a loss in confidence with the medication and the worry that no medication will work. Is this a normal thought? Anyway I've started a new medication and hoping it will bring me back to normal so I can get on with life.

Bulletin_Board_Archive What is your experience with CBT?
  • replies: 9

Originally posted by: Jemma on 12 February 2013Hey Friends, I posted on here about August last year with details about my blue days and my journey with depression and anxiety. Today I finally found myself a doctor who listened and valued me. I didn't... View more

Originally posted by: Jemma on 12 February 2013Hey Friends, I posted on here about August last year with details about my blue days and my journey with depression and anxiety. Today I finally found myself a doctor who listened and valued me. I didn't get pushed out the door with a pill to fix the problem. Today I started my mental health plan- feeling hopeful about what the future holds! Whilst I was waiting for the doctor I got the usual sweaty,trembling hands and heart palpitations. After about 5 minutes of discussion I felt like a huge weight was lifted of my shoulders and I was being taken seriously. Now to the crux of my post. I have been referred to start CBT. What are peoples experiences? What can I expect? Do I have to pour my heart out and tell my life story? (It could take years). I kinda feel anxious even thinking about it. I haven't been on medication for 18 months as it impaired my memory and concentration- which is essential being a uni student. May have to go back on the meds if it doesn't work out. Would love to hear about anyone's experiences!

Guest_5809 Trusting a psychologist
  • replies: 7

My child is currently under a early in life mental health service. I have been to see his psychologist several times. As working on parenting is just as important. I feel like I can trust this therapist and have told him of my fears of regressed sexu... View more

My child is currently under a early in life mental health service. I have been to see his psychologist several times. As working on parenting is just as important. I feel like I can trust this therapist and have told him of my fears of regressed sexual abuse which has been resurfaced due to my son being subjected to it as well. The therapist has told me he recommends I find another therapist to help deal with my baggage. He works one day privately elsewhere. I am not sure what to do. It is hard to find a therapist to trust. Any advice???

consumedbydemons HELP: Treatment resistant and fed up!
  • replies: 4

Long story short with many missing details; 20y/o with BPD, social anxiety, chronic depression, (somewhat undiagnosed) eating disorder and CPTSD. From a dysfunctional family with death being a "normal" part of my childhood. Have tried a long list of ... View more

Long story short with many missing details; 20y/o with BPD, social anxiety, chronic depression, (somewhat undiagnosed) eating disorder and CPTSD. From a dysfunctional family with death being a "normal" part of my childhood. Have tried a long list of medications, numerous psychologists, psychiatrists, attempts and consequently numerous hospital admissions and here I am still struggling, slipping through the cracks of our lacking health system. I feel as though I've exhausted all options and am seriously considering mentioning ECT if/when I get the courage to go to a GP. My question is, what do you do when you feel as though you've exhausted your options and are at the point of no return? I've been suffering to an extreme for the past 4 years with absolutely no break or relief. With no support from immediate family and my aunt taking on my burden, it's taking it's toll on not only me but my aunt who has become my carer. Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated.

CherryOnTop When your sessions run out
  • replies: 3

I've been signed up to a Mental Health Plan for anxiety and depression. The psychologist is nice and is helping me and it's good to have someone to talk to. But I feel like we've only scratched the surface and I'm nowhere near being able to function ... View more

I've been signed up to a Mental Health Plan for anxiety and depression. The psychologist is nice and is helping me and it's good to have someone to talk to. But I feel like we've only scratched the surface and I'm nowhere near being able to function on my own. I still cry a lot, have no friends, can stay in bed until 3pm, am not brave enough to do some really simple activities and still get hysterical quite a bit. I still just feel either really tense or really dejected. However we've only got a few sessions left until all 10 sessions are used up and I'm pretty sure I need much more. I just can't afford to pay for the psychologist on my own. Even with private cover it's too expensive. And I don't have anyone who would offer to pay for it for me. I guess I can go on medication but I'm on some pretty powerful painkillers so I don't know how viable.that will be. And I'm a midget and tend to react really badly to drugs. Can anyone suggest any other options for affordable treatment besides a mental health plan, or if there's any way of getting another extension?

d1106 Changing Dosage
  • replies: 3

When you increase dosage of medication does it start working instantly or is it like starting a medication and it takes time to feel the effects? Any answers appreciated, Also does anyone have any tips for dealing with the "dizzy" feeling in your hea... View more

When you increase dosage of medication does it start working instantly or is it like starting a medication and it takes time to feel the effects? Any answers appreciated, Also does anyone have any tips for dealing with the "dizzy" feeling in your head when anxious?

toshy Has anyone else done DBT?
  • replies: 10

Hi All I am new to this site, I came on this site so I can try to understand what I am going through, I figured there must be others out there like me and I would like to hear from them. The last 9 months have been horrific for me, I have been in and... View more

Hi All I am new to this site, I came on this site so I can try to understand what I am going through, I figured there must be others out there like me and I would like to hear from them. The last 9 months have been horrific for me, I have been in and out of hospital with severe anxiety and depression. You see I lost my soul mate 4 yrs ago after 30 years together. for the first 3 yrs I did ok as I still had my children at home. Then they moved out and I went downhill from there. Sadly I have tried to take my life 3 times as I can handle the thoughts and anxiety going through my head. I have great support from my family but it still feels as though I am disconnected. I am going through DBT at the moment and wonder if anyone else has done this and if so how did they go? I look forward to your feedback. Thankyou

UPTOYOU Just started meds and not coping well.
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone,I have come on here to ask other people their experience of starting an anti depressant. I had acute anxiety come on very suddenly around 6 weeks ago after not one but two neardeath experiences within a month. I have just been prescribed ... View more

Hi everyone,I have come on here to ask other people their experience of starting an anti depressant. I had acute anxiety come on very suddenly around 6 weeks ago after not one but two neardeath experiences within a month. I have just been prescribed antidepressants and also have some anxiolytic for when needed. The first day of taking the antidepressant) I had extreme hot flushes and severe anxiety (after a anxiolytic the anxiety subsided). The second day I woke up feeling very upset but as the day went on I felt much better to the point of feeling pretty good in the evening. I didn't get to sleep until around 3am this morning and woke up around seven very distressed and anxious. I had trouble convincing myself I was real!! Took a anxiolytic which (thank god) put me back to sleep for a few hours and I woke up much calmer. My doctor said if its causing me distress I should stop taking up but how much is too much? I really want to get better but as I have never had any type of anxiety before I don't really know what to expect.I know its only the 3rd day now but I am just looking for some advice on how to tell if I need to switch to a different pill. Thanks everyone

Mia1987 Postnatal depression and dealing with medication
  • replies: 1

Hi I've recently been diagnosed with postage depression I have a beautiful 10 month old little boy. He has been a very poor sleeper since he's was born and I think it finally took its toll. I've suffered from depression on and off since I was a teena... View more

Hi I've recently been diagnosed with postage depression I have a beautiful 10 month old little boy. He has been a very poor sleeper since he's was born and I think it finally took its toll. I've suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager, I am now 27 married with one baby. I finally gave in and started antidepressants 3 days ago and I feel awful! First day just felt nausea and headachy. Yesterday started feeling quite anxious and teary. Today is much the same. I went back to the doc yesterday cos I was starting to freak out. I hate feeling like this I feel worse than I did before I took anythin. He gave me some tablets for the anxiety to take for a few days until the side effects settle down. They work a little but not a lot and make me very sleepy. I feel in such a daze I feel horrible I feel useless I can't help my husband with our baby. All I can do is breastfeed him when needed. Which opens another batch of worries that the medication I'm taking could harm him. I've been assured from doc that he's safe. It's still worries me. Hubby keeps telling me it will get better once my body regulates the drugs. I hope he's right I just want to feel normal again. This is horrible. Has anyone had any successful stories where it's helped?